APACC conducts on-site visit at COBSAT, Cagayan de Oro, Philippines

Continuing the accreditation of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in the Philippines, the Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APACC) conducted a two-day on-site visit to the Cagayan de Oro (Bugo) School of Arts and Trades (COBSAT) located in Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Province from May 20 to 21, 2009. The team leader, Prof. Dr. Rajesh Khambayat and team member, Prof. TJ Tesoro-Gayondato led the visit.

COBSAT is a Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Vocational Training Institute created by the Philippine Republic Act 7839 on December 16, 1994 - an act converting the City High School into a School of Arts and Trades. The school’s mission is to provide quality Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) with the involvement of the stakeholders to meet the global demand of world class workforce. It is presently headed by the Vocational School Administrator III, Dr. Eulogio Pancho Sullano, Jr.

Competency-Based Courses being offered in COBSAT include Automotive Servicing – their flagship course, Baking/Pastry Production, Bartending, Building Wiring Installation, Carpentry, Commercial Cooking, Construction Painting, Dressmaking, Food and Beverage Service, Food Processing, Front Office, Household Service Worker, Housekeeping, Masonry, Personal Computer Operations, Plumbing, and Welding (SMAW).

Throughout the on-site visit, the accreditors validated the Self Study Report submitted by the institution to assess if it meets the standards to qualify as an APACC accredited TVET institution. Interview with the Vocational School Administrator, instructors, staff, and former students of the institution were also conducted to strengthen the data gathered by the accreditors as well as to seek their suggestions and views.

Mr. Edwin C. Gatinao, Officer-in-Charge-Regional Director and Mr. John D. Simborios, Officer-in-Charge-Chief, Regional Operations Division of TESDA Regional Office 10, and Ms. Ofelia M. Del Bando, Provincial Director (Misamis Oriental) were also in attendance to provide support to COBSAT.

Further validation of submitted reports by COBSAT is being undertaken by APACC, results of the accreditation status will be declared by CPSC in due time.

CPSC successfully concluded APACC Workshop

The CPSC successfully concluded the two-week long Inter-Governmental Workshop on Regional Accreditation Modeling and Accrediting the Accreditors, held from 15-26 August 2005.

The workshop was the first major convention to tackle the working scheme of APACC, which advanced commitment of member government representatives and workshop participants through a Manila Resolution of Commitment 2005.

Thirty-five officials and coordinators of accreditation and certification agencies from member countries resolved to pledge their commitment to advance the purposes and aims of APACC. They unanimously recommended to their respective governments to fully support regional accreditation and certification of TEVT programs and institutions through APACC; to provide human and physical resources to APACC during its initial organizational stages; and to identify the focal office or agency that will work and liaise with CPSC in the implementation of APACC programs, projects and activities.

They also fortified the standards and instruments of APACC.The workshop followed the International Conference held in Seoul, Rep. of Korea in December 2004. It brought forth the Seoul Declaration 2004 where CPSC member country representatives signified the commitment of member governments represented to form an accreditation body.

The initiative, under the leadership of Dr. Man-Gon Park, CPSC Director General and CEO, was undertaken by CPSC in response to the growing need to harmonize standards and skills of TEVT institutions towards greater workforce mobility.
Among the invited Resource Persons were Dr. Asaduzzaman Asad Chairman, University Grants Commission of Bangladesh; Mr. Wipajayananda Ellawala, Additional Secretary for TVET Development, Ministry of Skills Development and Training, Sri Lanka; Dr. Santiago Yabut, Deputy Director General for Field Operations, TESDA, Philippines; Dr. Shyamal Majumdar, Professor & Head Computer Science & Engineering Department, National Institute of Technical Teachers Training & Research and Regional Vice President, IVETA; Dr. Rupert Maclean Director UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre in Germany; Dr. Erlinda Pefianco, Director, SEAMEO INNOTECH, Philippines; Dr. Alcestis Guiang, former TESDA Director General; and Dr. Noorhaizamdin bin Haji Mosbi, Centre Director for the SEAMEO VOCTECH in Brunei; H.E. Mr. W. M. Senevirathna, Ambassador for Sri Lanka and Vice Chairman of the CPSC Governing Board; Dr. Man-Gon Park, CPSC Director General & CEO; Dr. Manuel Corpuz, Executive Director, AACCUP and APACC Technical Consultant; Dr. Ligaya Valmonte, CPSC Assistant Faculty and Prof. Tariq Mahmood, CPSC Faculty Consultant and Workshop Coordinator.

Being a gatekeeper for assuring quality in TEVT, CPSC pursues regional accreditation through APACC to identify institutions/programs with effective system of governance and management, very satisfactory teaching and learning system, well-qualified faculty and staff, adequate academic and administrative financial, physical and other learning resources, productive program of research, extension, consultancy and linkages, and a robust program of student services and development.

Ultimately, accreditation serves the interests of the general public by keeping educational institutions strongly adhere to the highest standards of excellence, thereby raising competence and mobility of the workforce.As an outcome, the workshop produced substantial inputs for the finalization of APACC Accreditation Guides and Materials, consist of the Accreditation Manual, APACC Skills Standards, Survey Instruments and Handbook for Accreditors' Accreditation.